Bowser wrote:According to a league source, Pens have asked Roberts to make a decision by 9 pm eastern. They have a few other things in the fire that hinge on the deal with Florida and Roberts waiving his NTC.

Pens are balking at the price Phoenix wants for Georges Laraque as the Pens have had more interest in defenseman Nick Boynton.

Thanks for the updates, Bowser.

I'll trust your sources before I believe a single media report. Even if nothing happens with the information from your end, it's always more logical and worthwhile discussing instead of some of the shlock from other sites.

boynton > laraque

Boynton is way too much per year...he's not worth giving up prospects and/or roster players in addition to the 3 mill a year he doesn't deserve

your the only person on the face of the universe who would want laraque over boynton, regardless of there contracts(cept maybe sportsfan)

I'll second this one.

Good defensemen cost money. Crappy defensemen are cheap or overpaid and playing on the Flyers. Middle of the road defensemen are cheaper.

KG wrote:I can't take MM saying that Roberts is to slow to play with Crosby....Is Gary Roberts a hack and I don't see it? He is not a speed monger, but he has played with skilled guys his whole career...

KG,

The funny thing is that he's bashing Roberts up one side and down the other, and if this trade happens, he'll have him on his show by the end of the week and he'll be kissing his *** in an interview.

KG wrote:I can't take MM saying that Roberts is to slow to play with Crosby....Is Gary Roberts a hack and I don't see it? He is not a speed monger, but he has played with skilled guys his whole career...

KG,

The funny thing is that he's bashing Roberts up one side and down the other, and if this trade happens, he'll have him on his show by the end of the week and he'll be kissing his *** in an interview.

I never listen to this guy, but the stuff he is spewing just annoyed me. Here in NY I hear sports radio like this all the time. What's up with the callers? they sound like they are afraid to give him their opinion. Whatever.

KG wrote:I can't take MM saying that Roberts is to slow to play with Crosby....Is Gary Roberts a hack and I don't see it? He is not a speed monger, but he has played with skilled guys his whole career...

KG,

The funny thing is that he's bashing Roberts up one side and down the other, and if this trade happens, he'll have him on his show by the end of the week and he'll be kissing his *** in an interview.

Good thing it isn't the other way around. Roberts is only going to probably be a rental. He wouldn't have enough time to finishing kissing that monstrosity.

If you call Madden with an opinion that differs from his, you will be interrupted, berated, made to look a fool, and hung up on before you are able to get a point across. Last week, I was so tempted to call in because he kept stating that Laraque doesn't play much, and when he is dressed, he usually doesn't leave the bench.

KG wrote:I can't take MM saying that Roberts is to slow to play with Crosby....Is Gary Roberts a hack and I don't see it? He is not a speed monger, but he has played with skilled guys his whole career...

I really don't get this. Is Roberts a noticeably faster skater than Malone? I don't think so. But, he's a smarter skater, along the same lines that Staal is a smart skater with deceptive speed. He will give Sid everything Malone doesn't, a guy who wins 1 on 1 battles along the boards, a guy who will help a little more in transition, a guy who knows how and when to establish and maintain possession in front of the net, and a guy who anticipate and see, rather than react to, a developing play.

But, beyond all of that, here's an angle to consider. Roberts has given TB fits all year. He traditionally has given Ottawa fits. On other words, he's a guy who can help the Pens with their two potentially most unfavorable playoff matchups.

Pipes - Are you willing to eat some major crow if the Pens acquire Roberts so they can move another forward to get the important veteran defenseman. There is a domino effect required to improve the blueline, Roberts deal needs to happen for Pens to feel comfortable.

Roberts to the top line and Nolan or Doan to the second line. Maybe you all get your wish and Ouellet will be moved off that line.

Boynton may be headed here as well. Welch will be traded for Roberts so I've heard, and Malone and picks to the Yotes for any combination of Nolan/Boynton/Doan (I really hope its Doan).

Methinks you are correct. Methinks if the other deal is Malone, Ouellet, Melichar, and a #1 for Nolan and Boynton that me will not be too depressed. Meknows Roberts and Nolan is a lot of years to add to the equation, but methinks Roberts-Sid-Rex and Staal-Malkin-Nolan represents an upgrade, especially for the type of hockey that will be played in the playoffs. Methinks Ekman is coming back, so there's a buffer if someone gets hurt or EC doesn't perform on the third line. Methinks Boynton gives the Pens a top four defenseman. And, methinks with Roberts, Nolan, and Ekman coming off the books at the end of the year, the Pens will have money to spend in free agency to sign a winger for Sid.

Roberts to the top line and Nolan or Doan to the second line. Maybe you all get your wish and Ouellet will be moved off that line.

Boynton may be headed here as well. Welch will be traded for Roberts so I've heard, and Malone and picks to the Yotes for any combination of Nolan/Boynton/Doan (I really hope its Doan).

Methinks you are correct. Methinks if the other deal is Malone, Ouellet, Melichar, and a #1 for Nolan and Boynton that me will not be too depressed. Meknows Roberts and Nolan is a lot of years to add to the equation, but methinks Roberts-Sid-Rex and Staal-Malkin-Nolan represents an upgrade, especially for the type of hockey that will be played in the playoffs. Methinks Ekman is coming back, so there's a buffer if someone gets hurt or EC doesn't perform on the third line. Methinks Boynton gives the Pens a top four defenseman. And, methinks with Roberts, Nolan, and Ekman coming off the books at the end of the year, the Pens will have money to spend in free agency to sign a winger for Sid.

Bowser wrote:Pipes - Are you willing to eat some major crow if the Pens acquire Roberts so they can move another forward to get the important veteran defenseman. There is a domino effect required to improve the blueline, Roberts deal needs to happen for Pens to feel comfortable.

Not really, I've never denied the d for a forward, forward for a d balancing of the roster

I would rather package malone and welch for a much stronger upgrade on D...with ekman coming back we're balanced, and just like roberts he doesnt correct the long-term problem.